SNARE - Episode Three featuring James Gadson (Bill Withers, Gloria Gaynor, Beck) at Studio 606

Episode Three of SNARE features one of the most recorded drummers in all of music history, the legendary James Gadson. While re-visiting his past works with Charles Wright, Bill Withers, Gloria Gaynor, and Beck, Gadson demonstrates an array of snare drum tunings that he utilized for more than 50 years to get ‘that ring,’ ‘that pop,’ and ‘that punch’ on countless award-winning records. Gadson’s credits also include Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Diana Ross, and many others.
SONGS PLAYED
“Express Yourself” Charles Wright
“I Don’t Want You on My Mind” Bill Withers
“I Will Survive” Gloria Gaynor
“Paper Tiger” Beck
SNARES USED
Ludwig Acrolite Snare 5x14”
Ludwig Supraphonic Snare 6.5x14”
Pearl Jupiter Snare 5x14”
MICROPHONES USED
SNARE MIC (LS-408) - Top and Bottom Snare www.lautenaudio.com/snare-mic
LA-120 V2 - Hi Hat www.lautenaudio.com/la-120
LA-220 V2 - Stereo Overheads www.lautenaudio.com/la-220
LA-320 V2 - Stereo Drum Room www.lautenaudio.com/la-320
LS-208 - Kick in www.lautenaudio.com/ls-208
LS-308 - Toms www.lautenaudio.com/ls-308
Clarion FC-357 - Kick Out www.lautenaudio.com/clarion
Atlantis FC-387 - Mono Room www.lautenaudio.com/atlantis
Eden LT-386 - Mono Overhead www.lautenaudio.com/eden
Each episode of SNARE was recorded directly to tape without EQ or Compression at Studio 606 in Los Angeles, California.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LAUTEN AUDIO www.lautenaudio.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO JAMES GADSON, DARRELL THORP, AND THE AWESOME FOLKS AT 606
Alastair Christie
Oliver Roman
Wiley Hodgden
Jerred Pollaci
Charlie Lo Presti
Ross Garfield (Drum Doctors)

[@dtonesmith766]

'Let em ring" my man!

[@backatya-bi8rx]

One of the GOATs. James Gadson was one of Jeff Porcaro's heroes.

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

This man doesn’t get enough credit! Thank you for including him on this series!!!!

[@Calj_Music89]

PERIODTTT

[@mcafalchio]

I really like his drumming, the groove on the songs are amaxing

[@NathanSletner]

Could not agree more, bro.

[@matanahituv7274]

❤

[@Theworkingclassdrummer]

💯

[@2face789]

I saw James Gadson with Maceo Parker. It was litterally impossible to sit down. The most incredibly funky drumming I ever heard. Played 16 notes on the hihat all night. Maceo Parker was staring on him the whole concert with a huge grin on his face.

[@User-jk8wq]

I hope I’m able to play music even 1% as well as this man when I’m 84! His sense of groove and timing is still borderline superhuman all these years later

[@jkf9167]

I've heard a lot of non-drummers say that no one can capture the vibe of a song the way that he can.

[@Dane3p]

Love how he plays the hats on all he's recordings. So underlooked but what a legend. Damn

[@brettthomson3689]

The fact he was a "do-woo" kid is the give away. His phrasing and groove comes because he "hears" the song. Love the acrolite.

[@Drumminsince89]

To think at this mans age, how fluid yet powerful his playing still is, and how sharp his mind is to remember what he plaid 50 years ago...GEEEEEEEEEZ.

[@petersonalkintor4266]

He started playing at 21 yrs of age.....21.....not one person has played "Use Me" the way Mr. Gadson did....No One......one of the greats....

[@briansrensen8204]

or his half-swung "Kissing my love" it's uncopyable

[@CatabductionsAnoym]

how so late, his father was a pro musician/Drummer!

[@wankamalstory]

​@@CatabductionsAnoym how did you know mr.gadson father was pro drummer?

[@wankamalstory]

​@@CatabductionsAnoym you right 21 is late to start learn musics and it was too late for sports

[@Fresh_I.S.C.]

The ACTUAL goat! Kissing my love is the nastiest groove of all time!

[@Gondyr_Nocheinsson]

Him tuning his snare by ear and absolutely nailing the sound is just awesome.

[@drumtwo4seven]

how else would you tune ?

[@vegadeth]

@@drumtwo4seven with a chicken and a wombat. Tuning by ear is best though

[@tweevers2]

@@drumtwo4seven Exactly,it is all there is (by ear)...just listen while turning the tension rods and when it gets to where you want it you are good. So unless there is a nother method by waving a magic wand over the drum...tuning by ear is the only way. Even if someone uses a drum dial they still hit the drum and listen,to see if it reached the desired sound when using the dial.

[@tijmenaalberts4259]

Usually you would tap the head close to each of the tension rods. Some spots would create a lower pitch than others, and you would turn those lugs up until it sounds even all around. then it’s in tune. But he’s just hitting it in the same spot and (randomly?) turning the lugs. That seems like a less consistent technique. But to an extent tuning drums is forgiving.

[@Gondyr_Nocheinsson]

@@drumtwo4seven it's not about him tuning by ear, it's about how he almost randomly hits the drum turning his rods and gets exactly the sound he's refering to.

[@redzonesportscards2021]

Legendary drummer.

[@PrantoKoX]

He's a TOTAL legend. No bull, all groove. Just listen to that: no showboating or techturbation, all 101% musically usable, and solid as a clock carved in granite. Lovely video, valuable well beyond the product placement. 💯👍🏼

[@JakeReedmusic]

Love this so much!

[@pjw3d87]

Whoever edited this piece did a fantastic job. Made it really fun to watch

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

That Groove is still deep. this is a True Legend!!!!!!

[@macadoo2530]

The Hallowed Acrolite. Have a supraphonic too but the Acro rocks my world.

[@Drummmerboy1234]

Bless him! I love watching him play on USE ME.

[@personalwatching9312]

God i love this guy. First bar, instantly him. What a feel

[@paradiddle16]

84 years old!

[@djcoolcliff]

A pocket master!!! My played uncle Wah Wah Watson played on sessions with James!!!!

[@batouttahell454]

He is a great Man and drummer! He spent time talking to me about a drumming question I had that was very important to me. I knew he REALLY CARED. He listened and spent time answering me.I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT!!!! THANK YOU, JAMES GADSON AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!

[@matthewguzda4075]

That's how ppl should be. He's blessed to have played with some of the greats. So from that fortune be happy of your own success and spread that to others right? I'm so glad he's a good dude. So many great musicians and artists are often ppl I wouldn't want to know so when they are good ppl and I love their playing it's a pleasure. Cheers

[@batouttahell454]

@@matthewguzda4075 Me Too

[@jas_bataille]

The original drum machine. Y'all need to release those sessions for sampling!!!

[@JosephNoga]

Amazing! Hearing James play Paper Tiger give me chills 🤯

[@tambian89]

Love that Acrolite especially but they all sound great with James behind the kit

[@7crosschop]

Had a Ludwig Acrolite. Best snare ever.

[@brunoromiti7708]

7:30 and beyond is just magic

[@bearzalski]

Damn .. as soon as they said ‘Morning Phase’ .. the whole album hit me all at once! lol.

[@cy2112cy]

In addition to the million amazing things in this video one that sticks out is that when he is playing the disco beat hit snare/kick double stops are grid tight. You can tell that man has played 1,000,000 disco beats. What a legend!

[@TACOCAT....]

Amazing dude....in all his glorious funkiness. Maceo Parker called him "easy chair comfortable".....makes everybody, even casual listeners, musically better.

[@lgustavobussioli]

James Gadson Great Drummer perfect Play

[@dhyanais]

11:02 "I really wasn't into those drums, but the drummer of my brothers' band didn't want to play drums anymore, so I learned it." :)

[@TheMusicWiz]

What a beautiful man ❤🎶

[@tresjordan982]

Slickest wrists in the biz !!

[@darrellroseborough7275]

One of the true legends. Not a bad thing to say about this guy. This cat has played on countless hit records a lot more then some of these young bucks up and coming that only have you tube videos which is a good thing but the videos most consist of how many licks you can do and how fast with no groove. There are a few exceptions though. James Gadson lets put some respect of the name. and again thank you Darrell for another in-depth important series.

[@MrFchank]

I agree. Let it ring!!

[@gregmartinez5836]

LEGEND ❤

[@Tagger0325]

Check out James Gadson's work with Vulfpeck with all the cloths on his drums . Wicked R&B vibe

[@krenwregget7667]

Modern rock/pop/funk stands on the shoulders of giants such as this.

[@joelmarquez4629]

I’ve always loved James playing I can listen to him play all day

[@Clagos213]

Loved this so much!

[@srm0074]

These videos are becoming the documentaries of our legends. Please.keep.it up.

[@LautenAudio]

🙏🥰

[@carlosfarias1786]

Met Mr Gadson at Mt Sac. Mr Steve Wilkerson brought him to play with the Jazz Band. Incredible to see him play and hear his sound. Great experience.

[@TM-hw7by]

Beautiful.

[@stephendawg1]

Great video. I love to hear James play live. So understated and so funky at the same time. A real legend!

[@matthewgonano636]

Awesome. Cheers

[@jimbo7484]

If I have half the groove this man has at his age I will be an extremely happy man!

[@OscarOverlanding]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@JoeIzzo]

Serious grooves by one of the greats!

[@AdamSoucyDrums]

One of the greatest to ever do it 🖤 love this man

[@GlennWilsonDrums]

Once again, thank you for doing these ❤️

[@LautenAudio]

Glad you like them!

[@hustlinc3540]

love love love

[@liemisenkeittiossa]

AMAZING - AGAIN

[@brandonyorkdrums]

Ones of my favourites mr James Gadson !

[@digdigger4277]

terrific, just terrific

[@jasonmusic9938]

love it

[@Ramshackled17]

Love this guy❤

[@Absolute_Shambles]

Phenomenal, so so good❤😊

[@mobetterx1110]

Just listened to Marvin Gaye - I Want You. Gadson killin them drums!

[@dieconashi]

Awesome video. Love seeing these little nuggets of his preferred tuning for different styles. He's a fantastic drummer. I've watched the live videos of him with Bill Withers an unhealthy amount of times!

[@mrbrubbs10]

I met this guy playin at BB Kings here in Citywalk Los Angeles many years ago without having any idea of who he was, but he was always so cordial and polite. I sat in one night and played the Hammond and sang Stormy Monday and his manager came over and said James loves your playing and your voice and would love to do some work with you...and I'm thinking it was some typical Hollywood BS and never made a move on it. A few months later my friend who is the road manager for The Four Tops saw some pictures I took with James and he asked how did I know the famous James Gadson??? I said who?, and he gave me the rundown on James and after I did some research and saw who I had been talking and playing with, I kicked myself in the a#$ and never 2nd guessed anybody else!!lololol Incredible man and solid drummer!

[@JOEYNOSEBEATS]

Ty. Favorite drummer.

[@iamjackiebarnes]

James is the best! Fortunate to have had some lessons with him as a kid! What a guy!

[@davidguerra5237]

This is a Great Show you are doing. Hope It keeps going forever. Been following for about a month. Really awesome 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@LautenAudio]

We are so glad you enjoy it!

[@shazampanda]

i've never been first, James is a treasure.

[@Svm777]

Shazam Quick-Draw, they used to call him! Men were afraid of him and women were just disappointed.

[@jas_bataille]

@@Svm777 lmao what

[@riondrumchannel]

Yeah man- Gadson is one of my all time fav’s! Such a pocket, and always an amazing sound! “1- 2- a-you-know-what-to-do” 🥁 🥁 🥁

[@DrumFaceP]

Loved that :)

[@WarrenHenry]

Great video! What a treasure Thank you 🙏🏾 Thank you 🙏🏾 Thank you 🙏🏾

[@LautenAudio]

You are so welcome😃

[@nicobogue]

legend my favourite all time drummer!!

[@hermanaraujo8023]

Man… the KICK!! Uffffff

[@damienlewis7882]

one of my drum heros

[@user-qd9mm5mt4i]

James, wow, great drumming! What a cool dude.

[@mlklotusmann6749]

Great video, thanks for sharing! One of the most important variables in drum sounds is the player 😉👍🏼

[@Musikmusikmusik]

Man how he´s in his 80´s and looks so energy

[@spadds]

Legend. I think we way over think things. You've either got it, or not. This cat, certainly has it!

[@nickcarter4006]

This is the greatest drumming video in history

[@unique74muzik]

OG!!

[@gadymarcus5297]

bello.💔💔💔💔💔💔

[@NowyouknowMusic]

Killer video!

[@chilo7572]

N. I. C. E. !!!!!

[@MemoRiosDrummer]

great shuffle example, this man should be recognized, I liked a lot that he uses his left stick the other way around, like a metal drummer..... kick ass this Sir

[@-PAT-]

Coooool 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@montereyjack3679]

What a badass

[@musicmanxii]

Love the sound of LA mics, so Krisp.

[@FadjarMoeljarto]

Waw..greaat🥁👍

[@AntonioTonyNewtonMusic]

Gadson the exceptional drummer man !

[@YARDMANMX]

Legend now respect they set the space we all in now we more creative live musician

[@morbidmanmusic]

the drums sounded best with just the room talking mic. Perfect

[@suminshizzles6951]

That is some nice 16th note moeller action on the high hat.

[@torocruz1192]

That’s right! Snare was tune super low in the 70’s for disco, even Gad was tuning extra low 👍🏽

[@jbenoit1962]

That's rad. I heard the story and thought "...that, like his higher tuning technique, goes against all conventional contemporary 'rules' for tuning studio drums. sounds like putting petrol in a diesel engine..." and 2 seconds later Mr. Ain't No Sunshine pulls **the** disco snare sound and a million dollar groove to go with it. Apparently conventional knowledge has been taught by the wrong people probably because people like Gadson were busy playing on all our favorite records!

[@apieceofdirt4681]

Love his playing and his toupee

[@jas_bataille]

I got the tune up a lug trick from Mitch Mitchell a few years ago. It's SO good!! I only use vintage ambassador. There is a thin loose film of mylar that tighten up as you tight up a lug and get more harmonics on one side while keeping that fat tone!

[@Stonemetal3]

Could you elaborate on that? You tune the snare as normal and then extra tighten one lug?

[@bradleycordaro]

that pocket, insane.

[@Dyingsociety38]

Really cool!! You have to get Steve Gadd on next. Along with Nate Smith, Ash Soan, Carter Mclean and Keith Carlock. Love their tunings.

[@zuu1701]

Guys these drums sound absolutely phenomenal…. 😮😮😮

[@zuu1701]

@@grantdenniston2839 which platinum selling artists do you play drums for?

[@vincenzoa2929]

James is my 16th note groove maestro.

[@ETwOneE21]

His ear tuning is incredible 🫡🫡🫡

[@user-nz7np7do8l]

One of the nicest human beings you’ll ever meet a friend laythel 1978 in college at usc took me over to James house a-shame I never went back though invited one of my biggest life regrets soml love you me funk groove master

[@SopranoPizzaJMFNJ]

Guys, those Aluminum alloy shells have the PERFECT blend of stick sound & resonance when you tune them correctly. The 6.5” Supra was tuned too low IMO. Again I say, Great kick sound here!

[@macadoo2530]

Tuning a 6.5 that low is sacrilege to my ears. 😂

[@SopranoPizzaJMFNJ]

@@macadoo2530 I mean, he did it for Science 🤣